By David Kent

PUBLISHED: 05:25 EST, 6 October 2013 | UPDATED: 05:25 EST, 6 October 2013

Liverpool are lining up a January bid for long-term target Lacina Traore after the towering striker was told he could leave struggling Anzhi Makhachkala.

Brendan Rodgers has been chasing the Ivorian international for some time and failed to sign him last year when the Russian Premier League club decided to pull out of the deal at the last minute.

However, Anzhi's continuing financial problems have led the player's agent to claim he will be allowed to leave in the next transfer window - following the likes of Samuel Eto'o, Willian and Christopher Samba out of the club.

Lacina Traore

From Russia with love: Lacina Traore (left) has been told he can leave cash strapped Anzhi Makhachkala

Tall guy: At 6ft 8in, Traore (left) is even taller than former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch (right)

Lacina Traore

Second time lucky? Liverpool failed in a bid to sign Traore last year

According to the Metro, agent Dmitry Selyuk said: 'If a good offer arrives that suits us then Lacina is free to leave in January.

'The demand for him is huge in Russia and especially in Europe.'

At 6ft 8in, Traore is one inch taller than even former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch and would be the tallest player in the Premier League alongside Manchester City goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon should he arrive.

The 23-year-old, who has also been linked with high-flying Arsenal in the past, cost Anzhi 15million in July 2012 but is expected to leave for half that fee as the Russian club are desperate to remove high earners from their books.

Traore has scored 13 goals in his last 27 games for Anzhi - while Rodgers has previously admitted he wants to sign another centre forward as the club continue to push for European football.


The comments below have not been moderated.

Change the headline to "Tottenham line up January move for 6 feet 8 inch Anzhi striker Traore"

please rodgers, how many strikers you need, Aspas is still at the bench, and how many times did you even play borini and you sent him on loan, you are bringing in another..? please focus in the midfield, we need a replacement for Gerrald, and a good bench. YNWA!

So we get shut off Carrol only to replace him with another lofty dope! I expect better from you now Rogers! But saying that, this is probably just another fabricated story to splash petrol on the Suarez witch hunt!

wont happen. hope the 55m from suarez goes on better than him.

Expect Spurs scouts will now start watching him.

how can we NOW start watching him...we just played against him you dope!

Untrue

We definitely need another striker. Dont know what yall are talking about. ..just not him!!

Recycled story. We were linked with him a few windows ago. Nothing to suggest were after another Andy Carroll.

You'll need to fabricate a rumor involving a much better striker to unsettle Suarez.

Tosh

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